diff --git a/ui/data.js b/ui/data.js
index d7f876ca..a6407670 100755
--- a/ui/data.js
+++ b/ui/data.js
@@ -943,7 +943,7 @@ function loadFileImages(path, no_load_diffs, callback){
 		}).sort().reverse()[0]
 		path = path == null ? 'images.json' : path
 
-		console.log('Loading:', path)
+		updateStatus('Loading: ' + path)
 
 		path = base +'/'+ path
 	
@@ -972,7 +972,7 @@ function loadFileImages(path, no_load_diffs, callback){
 						// 		whether we have one or more deffereds here...
 						.done(function(data){
 							diff_data[i+1] = data
-							console.log('Loaded:', e)
+							updateStatus('Loaded:', e)
 						})
 				}))
 			.then(function(){
@@ -988,12 +988,12 @@ function loadFileImages(path, no_load_diffs, callback){
 			$.extend(json, diff_data)
 			IMAGES = json
 
-			console.log('Loaded IMAGES...')
+			updateStatus('Loaded images...')
 
 			callback != null && callback()
 		})
 		.fail(function(){
-			console.error('ERROR LOADING:', path)
+			updateErrorStatus('Loading: ' + path)
 		})
 }
 
@@ -1009,7 +1009,7 @@ function saveFileImages(name){
 	name = name == null ? normalizePath(CACHE_DIR +'/'+ Date.timeStamp()) : name
 
 	if(window.dumpJSON == null){
-		console.error('Can\'t save to file.')
+		updateErrorStatus('Can\'t save to file.')
 		return
 	}
 
@@ -1018,7 +1018,7 @@ function saveFileImages(name){
 		$.each($.map(listDir(normalizePath(CACHE_DIR)), function(e){ 
 				return /.*-images-diff.json$/.test(e) ? e : null
 			}), function(i, e){
-				console.log('removeing:', e)
+				updateStatus('removeing:', e)
 				removeFile(normalizePath(CACHE_DIR +'/'+ e))
 			})
 		IMAGES_UPDATED = []
@@ -1060,12 +1060,12 @@ function loadFileState(data_path, callback){
 
 			// unknown format...
 			} else {
-				console.error('unknown format.')
+				updateStatus('Unknown format.')
 				return
 			}
 		})
 		.fail(function(){
-			console.error('ERROR LOADING:', data_path)
+			updateErrorStatus('Loading:', data_path)
 		})
 
 	return res
@@ -1114,10 +1114,12 @@ function loadDir(path, raw_load){
 	var orig_path = path
 	var data
 
+	updateStatus('Loading...').show()
+
 	var files = listDir(path)
 
 	if(files == null){
-		console.error('Path error:', path)
+		updateErrorStatus('Path: ' + path)
 		return
 	}
 
@@ -1143,11 +1145,14 @@ function loadDir(path, raw_load){
 
 	// load the found data file...
 	if(data != null){
-		console.log('Loading:', data)
+		updateStatus('Loading: ', data)
 
 		data = path + '/' + data
 
 		return loadFileState(data)
+			.always(function(){
+				showStatus('Done.')
+			})
 
 	// load the dir as-is...
 	} else {
@@ -1157,7 +1162,7 @@ function loadDir(path, raw_load){
 		})
 
 		if(image_paths.length == 0){
-			console.error('No images in:', orig_path)
+			updateErrorStatus('No images in:', orig_path)
 			return 
 		}
 
@@ -1168,6 +1173,7 @@ function loadDir(path, raw_load){
 		MARKED = []
 
 		loadData()
+		showStatus('Done.')
 	}
 }
 
@@ -1183,7 +1189,7 @@ function updateRibbonsFromFavDirs(){
 // NOTE: this will open the default editor/viewer.
 function openImage(){
 	if(window.runSystem == null){
-		console.error('Can\'t run external programs.')
+		updateErrorStatus('Can\'t run external programs.')
 		return 
 	}
 	// XXX if path is not present try and open the biggest preview...
@@ -1193,13 +1199,61 @@ function openImage(){
 
 
 /**********************************************************************
-* Actions
+* Info & status...
 */
 
+// NOTE: if message is null, then just return the status element...
+function updateStatus(message){
+
+	var elem = $('.global-status')
+	if(elem.length == 0){
+		elem = $('<div class="global-status"/>')
+	}
+	if(message == null){
+		return elem
+	}
+
+	if(arguments.length > 1){
+		message = Array.apply(Array, arguments).join(' ')
+	}
+
+	if(typeof(message) == typeof('s') && /^error.*/i.test(message)){
+		console.error.apply(console, arguments)
+	} else {
+		console.log.apply(console, arguments)
+	}
+
+	return updateInfo(elem, message)
+}
+function showStatus(message){
+	return updateStatus(message)
+		.stop()
+		.show()
+		.delay(500)
+		.fadeOut(800)
+}
+function showErrorStatus(message){
+	return updateStatus('Error:' + message)
+		.stop()
+		.show()
+}
+
+
 // XXX do we need a full rewrite here, or will it be better to just fill
 // 		the slots...
 function updateGlobalImageInfo(image){
 	image = image == null ? getImage() : $(image)
+	image = image.length == 0 ? getImage() : image
+
+	var elem = $('.global-image-info')
+	if(elem.length == 0){
+		elem = $('<div class="global-image-info"/>')
+	}
+
+	// no image no update...
+	if(image.length == 0){
+		return elem
+	}
 
 	var gid = getImageGID(image)
 	var r = getRibbonIndex(getRibbon(image))
@@ -1222,11 +1276,6 @@ function updateGlobalImageInfo(image){
 	meta = meta.join(', ') 
 	meta = meta != '' ? '( '+ meta +' )' : ''
 
-	var elem = $('.global-image-info')
-	if(elem.length == 0){
-		elem = $('<div class="global-image-info"/>')
-	}
- 
 	return updateInfo(elem,
 			// path...
 			'<span class="expanding-text path">'+
@@ -1268,6 +1317,18 @@ function updateGlobalImageInfo(image){
 
 function updateInlineImageInfo(image){
 	image = image == null ? getImage() : $(image)
+	image = image.length == 0 ? getImage() : image
+
+	var elem = $('.inline-image-info')
+	if(elem.length == 0){
+		elem = $('<div class="inline-image-info"/>')
+	}
+
+	// no image no update...
+	if(image.length == 0){
+		return elem
+	}
+
 
 	var gid = getImageGID(image)
 	var r = getRibbonIndex(getRibbon(image))
@@ -1277,11 +1338,6 @@ function updateInlineImageInfo(image){
 	var orientation = data.orientation
 	orientation = orientation == null ? 0 : orientation
 
-	var elem = $('.inline-image-info')
-	if(elem.length == 0){
-		elem = $('<div class="inline-image-info"/>')
-	}
-
 	return updateInfo(elem,
 			// name...
 			data.path.split('/').pop() +'<br>'+
@@ -1297,6 +1353,16 @@ function updateInlineImageInfo(image){
 }
 
 
+function inlineImageInfoHoverHandler(evt){
+	var img = $(evt.target).closest('.image')
+	if(img.length > 0){
+		if(img.find('.inline-image-info:visible').length == 0){
+			updateInlineImageInfo(img)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+
 
 /**********************************************************************
 * Setup
diff --git a/ui/index.html b/ui/index.html
index 8700b7ae..c36c4cfb 100755
--- a/ui/index.html
+++ b/ui/index.html
@@ -254,7 +254,8 @@ body {
 	width: 100%;
 	background: black;
 	opacity: 0.7;
-
+}
+.image .inline-image-info:hover {
 	-moz-user-select: auto;
 	-webkit-user-select: auto;
 	-o-user-select: auto;
@@ -328,7 +329,8 @@ body {
 	color: white;
 
 	opacity: 0.6;
-
+}
+.overlay-info:hover {
 	-moz-user-select: auto;
 	-webkit-user-select: auto;
 	-o-user-select: auto;
@@ -526,6 +528,11 @@ body {
 	display: inline;
 }
 
+.global-status {
+	opacity: 1;
+	z-index: 1000;
+}
+
 
 
 </style>
@@ -578,18 +585,6 @@ $(function(){
 			function(k){
 				window.DEBUG && console.log(k)
 			}))
-		.on('mouseover', function(evt){
-				var img = $(evt.target).closest('.image')
-				if(img.length > 0){
-					if(IMAGE_INFO){
-						if(img.find('.inline-image-info:visible').length == 0){
-							updateInlineImageInfo(img)
-						}
-					} else {
-						img.find('.inline-image-info').remove()
-					}
-				}
-			})
 
 	setupDataBindings()
 
diff --git a/ui/keybindings.js b/ui/keybindings.js
index 1f29894b..a5f922b8 100755
--- a/ui/keybindings.js
+++ b/ui/keybindings.js
@@ -16,7 +16,32 @@ var DIRECTION = 'next'
 /*********************************************************************/
 
 var KEYBOARD_CONFIG = {
+	// info overlay...
+	//
+	// NOTE: this is here to prevent selecting images while trying to 
+	// 		select info text...
+	'.overlay-info:hover': {
+		title: 'Info overlay',
+		doc: 'NOTE: when the cursor is over the info overlay one can use '+
+			'Ctrl-A and Ctrl-D for info text selection, without affecting '+
+			'image selection/marks.',
+		ignore: [ 'A' ],
+		A: {
+			// NOTE: this is here only for documentation...
+			ctrl: doc('Select all'),
+		},
+		D: {
+			ctrl: doc('Clear selection', 
+				function(){
+					document.getSelection().empty()
+					return false
+				})
+		}
+	},
+
+
 	// help mode...
+	//
 	// NOTE: need to keep all info modes before the rest so as to give 
 	// 		their bindings priority...
 	'.help-mode': {
@@ -40,6 +65,7 @@ var KEYBOARD_CONFIG = {
 
 
 	// single image mode only...
+	//
 	'.single-image-mode': {
 		title: 'Single image mode',
 
@@ -59,6 +85,7 @@ var KEYBOARD_CONFIG = {
 
 
 	// single image mode only...
+	//
 	'.marked-only-view:not(.single-image-mode)': {
 		title: 'Marked only view',
 
@@ -72,6 +99,7 @@ var KEYBOARD_CONFIG = {
 
 
 	// general setup...
+	//
 	'.viewer:not(.overlay)': {
 		title: 'Global',
 
@@ -285,7 +313,7 @@ var KEYBOARD_CONFIG = {
 			},
 		I: {
 				// XXX group this with other info stuff into a single on/off toggle...
-				default: doc('Toggle image info visibility (on hover)',
+				default: doc('Toggle image info display',
 					function(){ toggleImageInfo() }),
 				// XXX STUB -- replace with a real info window...
 				shift: doc('Show current image info',
@@ -307,14 +335,30 @@ var KEYBOARD_CONFIG = {
 								'Position (global): '+ order +'/'+ DATA.order.length +'\n'+
 								'')
 					}),
+				alt: doc('Toggle inline image info display',
+					function(){
+						toggleInlineImageInfo()
+					}),
+
+				// marking...
 				ctrl: doc('Invert image marks', 
 					function(){ invertImageMarks() }),
 			},
 		A: {
-				shift: doc('Toggle marks in current contagious block', 
-					function(){ toggleImageMarkBlock() }),
+			  	// XXX does not yet work with DATA (???)
+				//shift: doc('Toggle marks in current contagious block', 
+				//	function(){ toggleImageMarkBlock() }),
+
 				ctrl: doc('Mark current ribbon', 
 					function(){ markAll('ribbon') }),
+				'ctrl+shift': doc('Mark all images', 
+					function(){ markAll('all') }),
+			},
+		D: {
+				ctrl: doc('Unmark current ribbon', 
+					function(){ removeImageMarks('ribbon') }),
+				'ctrl+shift': doc('Unmark all images', 
+					function(){ removeImageMarks('all') }),
 			},
 		U: {
 				ctrl: doc('Unmark current ribbon', 
diff --git a/ui/lib/keyboard.js b/ui/lib/keyboard.js
index b54ba418..63530c22 100755
--- a/ui/lib/keyboard.js
+++ b/ui/lib/keyboard.js
@@ -62,6 +62,17 @@ var _SPECIAL_KEYS = {
 	188: ',',	190: '.',	191: '/',
 }
 
+var _SHIFT_KEYS = {
+	'`': '~',	'-': '_',	'=':'+',
+
+	1: '!',		2: '@',		3: '#',		4: '$',		5: '%',
+	6:'^',		7:'&',		8: '*',		9: '(',		0: ')',	
+
+	'[': '{',		']': '}i',		'\\': '|',
+	';': ':',		'\'': '"',
+	',': '<',		'.': '>',		'/': '?'
+}
+
 var _KEY_CODES = {}
 for(var k in _SPECIAL_KEYS){
 	_KEY_CODES[_SPECIAL_KEYS[k]] = k
@@ -93,6 +104,7 @@ function toKeyCode(c){
 
 // documentation wrapper...
 function doc(text, func){
+	func = func == null ? function(){return true}: func
 	func.doc = text
 	return func
 }
@@ -135,11 +147,12 @@ function doc(text, func){
  * XXX BUG explicitly given modes do not yield results if the pattern 
  * 		does not match...
  */
-function getKeyHandlers(key, modifiers, keybindings, modes){
+function getKeyHandlers(key, modifiers, keybindings, modes, shifted_keys){
 	var chr = null
 	var did_handling = false
 	modifiers = modifiers == null ? '' : modifiers
 	modes = modes == null ? 'any' : modes
+	shifted_keys = shifted_keys == null ? _SHIFT_KEYS : shifted_keys
 
 	if(typeof(key) == typeof(123)){
 		key = key
@@ -149,6 +162,12 @@ function getKeyHandlers(key, modifiers, keybindings, modes){
 		key = toKeyCode(key)
 	}
 
+	/* XXX this is not done yet...
+	if(shifted_keys != false && key in shifted_keys){
+		key = shifted_keys[key]
+	}
+	*/
+
 	res = {}
 
 	for(var mode in keybindings){
@@ -400,7 +419,8 @@ function makeKeyboardHandler(keybindings, unhandled){
 * 	<keys-spec> 	- list of key names.
 *
 */
-function buildKeybindingsHelp(keybindings){
+function buildKeybindingsHelp(keybindings, shifted_keys){
+	shifted_keys = shifted_keys == null ? _SHIFT_KEYS : shifted_keys
 	var res = {}
 	var mode, title
 
@@ -455,6 +475,13 @@ function buildKeybindingsHelp(keybindings){
 					var keys = []
 					section[doc] = keys
 				}
+
+				// translate shifted keys...
+				if(shifted_keys != false && mod == 'shift' && key in shifted_keys){
+					mod = ''
+					key = shifted_keys[key]
+				}
+
 				keys.push((mod == '' || mod == 'default') ? key : (mod +'+'+ key))
 			}
 
diff --git a/ui/modes.js b/ui/modes.js
index 64e17c08..014aec23 100755
--- a/ui/modes.js
+++ b/ui/modes.js
@@ -69,6 +69,20 @@ var toggleTheme = createCSSClassToggler('.viewer',
 var toggleImageInfo = createCSSClassToggler('.viewer', '.image-info-visible')
 
 
+var toggleInlineImageInfo = createCSSClassToggler('.viewer', 
+		'.image-info-inline-visible',
+		function(action){
+			if(action == 'on'){
+				$(document)
+					.on('mouseover', inlineImageInfoHoverHandler)
+			} else {
+				$(document)
+					.off('mouseover', inlineImageInfoHoverHandler)
+					$('.inline-image-info').remove()
+			}
+		})
+
+
 // NOTE: this confirmsto the css toggler protocol, but is not implemented 
 // 		via createCSSClassToggler as we do not need to set any classes,
 // 		al least at this point...